modals Archives - EnglishAcademy101

The Best Guide to Modals – Can’t Have/Needn’t Have

Modal verbs are a type of verb that allows the speaker to express things such as advice, obligation, order, suggestions, capacity, request, permission, ability, and likelihood. Two important ones are “can’t have” and “needn’t have”.^[1]https://phoneenglish.es/blog/2017/04/modals-cant-have-and-neednt-have/

While they seem similar they actually express quite different things.

Can’t Have

This modal verb expresses something that you are very sure didn’t happen in the past or when you believe something was impossible in the past.

When using this modal verb, it follows the following formula:

Can’t have + Past Participle

For example:

The prisoner can’t have escaped through that window because it is too small.
The kid can’t
have been at the movie theater. He was at home all weekend studying for the
exam.
Susie can’t
have said that. She is too nice and wouldn’t say such mean things.

Needn’t Have

“Needn’t have” expresses when an action was done but was most likely a waste of time and unnecessary.

When using this modal verb, it follows the following formula:

Needn’t have + Past Participle

For example:

You needn’t
have cooked so much food. We already ate before we came here.
She needn’t
have bought a new car. I was going to give one to her for her birthday.
We needn’t
have studied so hard for the test. It ended up being canceled.

Conclusion

Understanding grammar rules is just the first step — the real progress happens when you practice using them in real conversation. A private lesson is the fastest way to get there.

References[+]

References
↑1	https://phoneenglish.es/blog/2017/04/modals-cant-have-and-neednt-have/

The Best Guide to the Modal Should

The modal “should” talks about giving advice and making recommendations.^[1]https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/should-modals It is similar to the modals of “must” and “have to”, but used in a slightly different way.

Advice

The modal “should” can be used to give advice. In addition, it can be used in the past, present, and future verb tenses.

For example:

Past

You should
have eaten less for dinner.
She should
have arrived earlier to class.
They shouldn’t
have yelled loudly during the movie.

Present

I should
exercise more regularly.
We should
eat now.
Joe should
help us with the housework.

Future

Susie should
start studying for the test.
Mark shouldn’t
start complaining.
You should
start eating more healthily.

Expectation

The modal “should” can be used for expectation. In addition, it can be used in the past, present, and future verb tenses.

For example:

Past

We should
have arrived by now.
They should
have been finished by now.
Frank should
have stopped cooking.

Present

I should
be arriving now.
You shouldn’t
be studying now.
It should
be arriving now.

Future

My friends should
be arriving in an hour.
The plane should
be landing in 2.5 hours.
The restaurant should be opening in 30 minutes.

Note: you can replace “should” with the words “be supposed to” and “ought to be”.

Obligation

The modal “should” can be used for obligations. There is not negative form when talking using should and talking about obligations.

For example:

We should
let her know.
You should
go to sleep.
They should
be quite.

Note: you can replace “should” with the words “be supposed to”.

Question

You can used the modal should to ask for advice about something. The question form of the modal “should” is:

Should I
wait for you?
Should
we tell her about it?
Should
they let us know?

Example Exercises

Take Your English Further

Studying is just the first step — the real progress happens when you practice using your English naturally in real conversations. A private lesson is the fastest way to get there.

References[+]

References
↑1	https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/should-modals

The Best Guide to Modals in English

The modals “must” and “have to” talk about obligation.^[1]https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-modals-have-to-must-not.htm The difference between the two types of obligation is if it internal or external.

Must

In general, you use “must” to talk about personal opinion. This is subjective. That means, the speaker thinks it is necessary.

For example:

I must
study; otherwise, I won’t do well on the test.

(The implication is that the speaker wants to do well on the test. Therefore, they are going to study. It is not a requirement for them to study.)

You must
try this sandwich! It is so tasty!

(The implication is that you really should try the sandwich that I think is very tasty. However, if you don’t want to, you are required to.)

If I am going to become a professional
basketball player, I must practice
every day.

(The implication is that it is necessary to practice every day in order to become a professional basketball player. However, neither becoming a professional basketball player nor practicing every day is a requirement.)

Have to

In general, you use “have to” to talk about external rules or opinions. In other words, you use it when rules and other people are telling you to do something. It is not a personal opinion.

For example:

In England, you have to drive on the left hand size of the road.

(The implication is that it is the law in England to drive on the left hand side of the road.)

I have to
wear a uniform at work.

(The implication is that it a requirement to wear a uniform at work.)

You have
to wait for the stop light to turn green before you can move forward.

(It is the law that you can’t drive through a red light. You must wait for the green light to drive.)

Practice Exercises

Please go to The Best Guide to Modals in English to view this quiz

How did you do?

If some of these questions were tricky don’t worry — this is one of the topics that confuses English learners the most.

Sometimes reading alone isn’t enough. A private one on one lesson can clear up any confusion quickly and help you use this grammar naturally and confidently.

References[+]